Changes in store for state Area Education Agencies

Nine of the state’s 15 area education agencies are trying to decide if they should restructure.The Area Education Agencies were created 25 years ago to help supplement the education provided by local school districts. State Department of Education spokesperson Kathi Slaughter says a decline in enrollment and revenues in Iowa’s schools prompted a study of the issue.Slaughter says the study found a need for changes in nine of the 15 A-E-As. She says they’re now in the process of studying whether to merge or consolidate services.Slaughter says the A-E-As will have to come up with a solution, or the state will step in.The State Board of Education has given them until 2005 to voluntarily consolidate or merge their operations. Here are the agencies identified for changes and the cities where their board offices are located: two in Clear Lake, three in Cylinder, four Sioux Center, five in Fort Dodge, six in Marshalltown, seven in Cedar Falls, 14 in Creston, 15 in Ottumwa and 16 in Burlington.